Roberto Duran versus Terry Norris

[goose 5]

12 rounds-154 pounds.

[giacomino]

Depends when. There were periods when Norris wound out point Duran. A motivated, in-shape Durán by TKO8. Terry didn’t have a great chin

[Nile4000]

Norris close 12 round UD.

[elmersalsa]

If Terry Norris uses his speed and lateral mobility, he beats the great Roberto Duran.

Duran could only beat guys at those weight classes (154lbs and up) if, if, you come to slug it out with him.

Knowing Duran's reputation as a inside fighting master, Norris would play the safer role: use his movement to confuse Duran and win by UD.

[Seamus]

That's a good summary Elmer. Pretty much the way I see it. Also, if Norris fights Duran the way he fought Simon Brown the first time, he's begging to be stopped in the mid rounds.

[scorpio83]

I thought the same Elmer. If Norris outboxes Duran behind his jabs and combinations on the outside without engaging him on the inside, he would take a decision. However, if Norris decided to slug with Duran, then Duran would wear him down with body punches and knocking Norris out with a big right hand in at least 9 rounds.

[elmersalsa]

Yes, that was pretty much about Duran at those weight classes like 154lbs and over. Speed was his Achilles heel if the other boxer plays it safe.

If you tried to slug it out, you probably would lose 95% of the time in those weight classes. I really believe that he beat Robbie Sims that night in '86 at middleweight. They gave it to Sims, but I don't call it a robbery either.

[Ambling Alp II]

Yes, that was pretty much about Duran at those weight classes like 154lbs and over. Speed was his Achilles heel if the other boxer plays it safe.

If you tried to slug it out, you probably would lose 95% of the time in those weight classes. I really believe that he beat Robbie Sims that night in '86 at middleweight. They gave it to Sims, but I don't call it a robbery either.

Agreed. Speed was his achilles heel.

[elmersalsa]

Yes, that was pretty much about Duran at those weight classes like 154lbs and over. Speed was his Achilles heel if the other boxer plays it safe.

If you tried to slug it out, you probably would lose 95% of the time in those weight classes. I really believe that he beat Robbie Sims that night in '86 at middleweight. They gave it to Sims, but I don't call it a robbery either.

Agreed. Speed was his achilles heel.

At 154lbs and above, yes. Duran most underrated asset was his speed. But, once he went to 154lbs, his mobility and speed was not the same as when he was at welterweight and below.

[elmersalsa]

Assuming Duran is in top shape physically and mentally, then he wins this fight. Duran is a candidate for the greatest fighter of a time. Very few boxers in history were capable of handling Duran, assuming Roberto is properly prepared and not too far beyond his prime years.

The 154 lbs version of Duran, of course, was not nearly as good as the 135 lbs fighter that dominated the lightweights between 1972 and 1979. However, Duran's 1983 KO over Davey Moore proved that he could be an awesome junior-middleweight. I simply cannot picture Norris beating a peak 154 lbs version of Duran.

I have no comment as to how the fight would turn out. I'm just certain that Duran would win.

But, you think at 154lbs, Duran could cope with Norris' speed? I think that Norris will play it safe by using lateral movement and speed and not engage with Duran in a tie to toe warfare where Duran mostly excels.

[giacomino]

Assuming Duran is in top shape physically and mentally, then he wins this fight. Duran is a candidate for the greatest fighter of a time. Very few boxers in history were capable of handling Duran, assuming Roberto is properly prepared and not too far beyond his prime years.

The 154 lbs version of Duran, of course, was not nearly as good as the 135 lbs fighter that dominated the lightweights between 1972 and 1979. However, Duran's 1983 KO over Davey Moore proved that he could be an awesome junior-middleweight. I simply cannot picture Norris beating a peak 154 lbs version of Duran.

I have no comment as to how the fight would turn out. I'm just certain that Duran would win.

But, you think at 154lbs, Duran could cope with Norris' speed? I think that Norris will play it safe by using lateral movement and speed and not engage with Duran in a tie to toe warfare where Duran mostly excels.

It’s hard to say. I saw a lot of Norris’ fights and if he was just one of those guys who used his speed and stayed out of range, he definitely could outpoint Duran. But he sometimes would completely control the action and then get himself into trouble and get hit because he wanted to trade. He would have to have been very disciplined. I could see him being ahead of Duran and getting caught because he decided to trade at the wrong time

[AngryGoon38]

Assuming Duran is in top shape physically and mentally, then he wins this fight. Duran is a candidate for the greatest fighter of a time. Very few boxers in history were capable of handling Duran, assuming Roberto is properly prepared and not too far beyond his prime years.

The 154 lbs version of Duran, of course, was not nearly as good as the 135 lbs fighter that dominated the lightweights between 1972 and 1979. However, Duran's 1983 KO over Davey Moore proved that he could be an awesome junior-middleweight. I simply cannot picture Norris beating a peak 154 lbs version of Duran.

I have no comment as to how the fight would turn out. I'm just certain that Duran would win.

Good post,summary, and analysis. I basically agree.
The 1983 vs Moore version of Duran would be just as On Fire.
More effective, less effective..? He'd be Effective Enough, to likely Win.
Late rounds Tko,or decisive decision win for Duran. Whether he's at 100 % or 85%.
Remember too. Norris only had a 68" reach. He'd only have 2" of reach on Duran, and 1-1/2" of height.
Duran actually went from 5'7 to 5'7-1/2 between the 70's and 80's. Inversion tables can do that. So can the ways that we exercise.

[gilgamesh]

If Terry fights smart he outboxes Duran, if he slugs it out with Duran he runs the risk of getting stopped. I'm sure Terry would know that.

This could be a very rough fight too knowing both guys tendency to bend the rules when things get chippy.

[AngryGoon38]

Yes, that was pretty much about Duran at those weight classes like 154lbs and over. Speed was his Achilles heel if the other boxer plays it safe.

If you tried to slug it out, you probably would lose 95% of the time in those weight classes. I really believe that he beat Robbie Sims that night in '86 at middleweight. They gave it to Sims, but I don't call it a robbery either.

It looked like It Should've been a Draw,imo at least. Sims was definitely gifted that win,ala Snipes-Coetzee bout,except no kd's in the Sims-Duran bout.

[Evander]

Norris at 154 was a sound boxer.
He fought a good opponents throughout his career.
Baptist
Drayton
Jackson
Vaca
Mugabi
Leonard
Curry
Castro
Daniels
Blocker

They say Duran prime was a badass.
They sound like they mean it and there's too many of them with credibility that side with him.
I'm going review Roberto Duran's career.
For now put me down for Duran.

[zuru]

I like both fighters. Even if Duran comes in like he did with Davey Moore,it depends on which Norris shows up.
The Norris with a tight game plan,was fast & ferocious.Using speed and movement,he could pile up the points and decision Duran.

If Norris chooses to slug I think Duran will have a good chance at catching him,maybe to stop him.I remember being so impressed with Norris against Jackson..til the 2nd Rd when he got caught.
It depends on which Norris I think more than Duran